U.S. Bottled Water Sales Totaled $11.8 Billion in 2012

A new report from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) states that in 2012, overall consumption of bottled water jumped by 6.2 percent to 9.67 billion gallons, while sales increased by 6.7 percent, totaling $11.8 billion. The statistics were compiled by beverage consulting firm Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC).

With every American consumer drinking an average of 30.8 gallons of bottled water last year, the report stated that per-capita consumption of bottled water was up 5.3 percent in 2012, and that the beverage increased in absolute volume more than any other beverage category in the U.S.

“Bottled water added more gallons to its per-person consumption rate in ten years than either ready-to-drink tea or sports beverages reached by the end of that period,” said Gary Hemphill, managing director, information services, BMC.

Hemphill noted that, in comparison to the staggering amount of bottled water that Americans consumed in 2012, neither ready-to-drink tea nor sports drinks reached five gallons of consumption per U.S. consumer last year. Based on the numbers, and lifestyle shifts toward health and wellness, Hemphill said that bottled water is poised for future increases in per capita consumption.

“All signs point to U.S. consumers’ already displayed thirst for bottled water continuing in the years ahead,” Hemphill said. “Changes in per capita consumption indicate persistent interest in a product that consumers embrace as a healthful alternative to other beverages.”